The 14-day Sacred Exposition of the Holy Relics of Tathāgata Buddha concluded in Ladakh on Thursday, with more than 1.18 lakh devotees from across India and abroad paying obeisance during one of the largest spiritual gatherings ever organised in the Union Territory.
The closing ceremony was held at the Dharma Centre in Choglamsar, Leh, and was attended by Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena.
The concluding event coincided with the annual Monlam Chenmo, or Great Prayer Festival of Ladakh, dedicated to world peace and universal happiness. Thousands of monks, nuns, Rinpoches and devotees participated in the prayers and traditional sacred mask dances known as Chhams.
The Holy Relics were inaugurated for public exposition on May 1 on the occasion of the 2569th Buddha Purnima by Union Home Minister Amit Shah at Jivetsal in Leh.
Addressing the gathering, Saxena said the exposition symbolised cultural harmony and spiritual unity, adding that Ladakh was emerging as a global destination for peace and spiritual awakening.
“The sacred relics of Lord Buddha will return tomorrow to the National Museum in Delhi, but their blessings will remain here forever. Let us together establish Ladakh at the global level as a centre of peace, contemplation and spiritual awakening,” he said.
The Lieutenant Governor also praised the people of Ladakh for maintaining discipline and patience while standing in long queues for hours to seek blessings from the relics.
The exposition witnessed participation from several dignitaries, including Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, ambassadors of Sri Lanka and Thailand, Buddhist leaders, scholars and international pilgrims.
Thousands of residents dressed in traditional attire had lined the roads from Leh Airport to Jivetsal on April 29 to welcome the relics upon their arrival in Leh.
After remaining on public display in Leh for nine days, the Holy Relics were taken to Karsha Gonpa in Zanskar on May 11 and 12. Special prayers, cultural programmes, conferences and spiritual activities were organised throughout the exposition.
His Eminence Drukpa Thuksey Rinpoche expressed gratitude to the Government of India, the Ladakh administration and participating organisations for successfully organising the event.
